UK Launch of AP Automation

On November 20th, we were thrilled to host the UK launch of AP Automation—a ground breaking new feature in DPO that transforms how productions manage their accounts payable processes. The event began with an engaging showcase of the feature, followed by a audience Q&A session. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and contributed insightful questions to the discussion.

After the presentation, attendees had the chance to network over some canapés and drinks, while also exploring the new system hands-on. Laptops were set up around the room, allowing participants to experience AP Automation first hand and discover how it simplifies and streamlines AP workflows.

So, what is AP Automation? The innovative new DPO feature is designed to significantly reduce the time and effort that currently goes into traditional AP processes. By automatically suggesting best match purchase orders for invoices sent directly to DPO, users can shift their focus to higher-value activities, while DPO handles the tedious work—such as data entry, document collation, and approval routing.

With PO and AP approvals integrated into DPO, as well as seamless integration into PSL+, productions can benefit from a one-stop-shop approval workflow. This streamlined process not only enhances efficiency but also improves visibility, enabling departments to track the real-time status of invoices and purchase orders with ease. The result? Faster, more transparent approvals that keep your production running smoothly.

If you’d like to see AP Automation in action or learn more about its integration with PSL+, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at sales@sargent-disc.com to schedule a demo or for more information.

Sargent-Disc Rolls Out Okta

What is Okta?

Okta, an integrated identity and mobility management system, allows users to connect to applications securely from any devices 24/7 using multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Benefits of logging in via Okta

  • Greater security when logging in using multi-factor authentication
  • More authentication options including password, push notification, and Okta code verify are available
  • Biometrics or facial recognition can be setup on Okta Verify and using push notifications you can log in without needing a password each time
  • Okta will allow single sign on to be rolled out in future across all SD applications
  • Okta will allow federation so that Studios can manage their own user logins from their own Okta tenant
  • For more information about Okta click here.

Please see below guides for how to log in for the first time and set up the Okta Verify app.

Migration Guide
Login Guide

How to install the Okta app

For a short video on Okta and how to install the app check out the below video or click here

FAQs

A: Okta, an integrated identity and mobility management system, allowing users to connect to applications securely from any devices 24/7 using multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Okta supports the following web browsers: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari and Chrome.

This new sign–on process is security that relies on more than just your password, and is similar to what most financial institutions employ to protect your personally identifiable information. In short, MFA is a better way to secure your account.

Yes, MFA is an important part of Sargent-Disc’s commitment to security and protection of your documents and is required to access your account beginning September 22, 2024. MFA adds the additional necessary security that is necessary to protect your account against today’s sophisticated cyber threats.

You will receive a message to say your account has been locked and will be automatically unlocked after 30 minutes.

Okta Verify is a multifactor authentication (MFA) app that allows users to confirm their identity when they sign in to their Okta account.

To install Okta Verify, please refer to the below video/ guides:

 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZu–diVQCg            

 

Apple: https://support.sargent-disc.com/portal/en/kb/articles/review-2-downloading-okta-verify-app-apple

 

Android: https://support.sargent-disc.com/portal/en/kb/articles/review-2-downloading-okta-verify-app-android

If you’ve forgotten your password when migrating your account to Okta, please refer to the following guide:

 

https://support.sargent-disc.com/portal/en/kb/articles/review-2-payslip-forgot-password-during-okta-migration

If you’ve forgotten your password when logging in (after account has been migrated) refer to either of the following guides:

 

Forgot Password with Okta Verify app installed:  https://support.sargent-disc.com/portal/en/kb/articles/review-2-forgot-password-with-okta-verify-app

 

Forgot Password without Okta Verify installed:  https://support.sargent-disc.com/portal/en/kb/articles/review-2-forgot-password-without-okta-verify-app

Correct! A password will no longer be needed to sign into SD applications if you have the Okta Verify app installed with biometrics enabled.

Want to know how to install the app / setup biometrics? Refer to FAQ: What is Okta Verify app / how do I install this?

On the SD login page, click the ‘Forgotten username’ tab and enter the required fields to be sent an email to recover your username.

Yes! Follow the guide on how to setup Okta Verify once logged into your account: https://support.sargent-disc.com/portal/en/kb/articles/review-2-setup-okta-verify-app-later-after-account-has-been-migrated  

Please contact our Customer Support team for further assistance. Our Customer Support team can be reached by calling 01753 639007 or emailing support@sargent-disc.com

For any errors received during migration or sign in process, please contact our Customer Support team with the error code.

Okta allows you to have more than one device linked to your account. You can setup additional mobile numbers / additional devices on Okta Verify.

Refer to the following guide: https://support.sargent-disc.com/portal/en/kb/articles/review-2-link-additional-devices-to-account        

When migrating your account via your mobile device, you will be given two options to setup Okta Verify (via email and text). It is important you have the Okta Verify app installed before going through this process.

 

Via email: https://support.sargent-disc.com/portal/en/kb/articles/review-2-okta-verify-setup-on-a-mobile-device-email-option

 

Via text: https://support.sargent-disc.com/portal/en/kb/articles/review-2-okta-setup-on-a-mobile-device-text-option

Sargent-Disc and Okta – How to Recover Passwords

Sargent-Disc’s Okta rollout is coming soon! It is important to recover and save your passwords in advance to a ensure a smooth migration. Below, you will find links to guides for the most commonly used password managers, browsers and operating systems to help you through this process

Common Password Managers:

NordPass

1Password

Dashlane

Keeper

Common Browsers:

Chrome

Safari

Microsoft Edge

Opera

Firefox

Common Operating System:

MacOS

Chromebook

Read the previous article on Okta here

Don’t forget to download the Okta Verify App! Please see below video for a guide

Sargent-Disc returns to France for the 77th Festival de Cannes

Members of the team were pleased to return to France last week for the opening weekend of the 77th Festival de Cannes. Sargent-Disc were involved in a number of events designed to bring together international delegates.

Festival Winners

With the festival having wrapped on Saturday 25th May, we reflect on the winners. The prestigious Palme d’Or was awarded to Sean Baker’s Anora – the US comedy-drama follows a sex worker who must fend off the parents of a Russian oligarch who are keen to action an annulment after she finds herself married to him.

Jacque Audiard’s Emilia Perez took home the best actress prize shared by Adriana Paz, Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofia Gascon and Selena Gomez. Whereas Jesse Plemons took the award for best actor for Yorgas Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness.

Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas was met with a standing ovation as he was presented with an honorary Palme d’Or by Francis Ford Coppola.

View the full list of winners here.

The Sargent-Disc International Producers Reception

For the ninth time, Sargent-Disc hosted the International Producers Reception at the Members Club, Plage du festival on Saturday 18th May. Producers and financiers came together in a relaxed setting to establish new relationships and build on existing ones. The company gives thanks to the British Film Commission, International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), New Zealand Film Commission, Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), The Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB) and Screen Producers Ireland for their support with the event.

Women in Film and Television Brunch

The team was proud to sponsor the annual brunch held by Women in Film and Television (WFTV) again, held on the Coutts boat on Sunday 19th May. The event offered the opportunity for women, established and new to their careers, to meet and converse about the state of the industry.

2024 NFTS Graduation – celebrating the achievements of up and coming filmmakers

The annual National Film and Television School (NFTS) Graduation ceremony, sponsored by BBC Studios, took place on Friday 23rd February at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square. The celebration not only recognises and celebrates the successes of the graduating students, but also offers them the chance to forge connections for their future careers with screen industry members.  

Emma Wilford, Sales and Marketing Manager at Sargent-Disc, attended the ceremony as a proud sponsor of three NFTS students (two Production Management Diploma students and one Production Accounting student [John Sargent Scholarship]). These serve as a key element of Sargent-Disc’s work to recognise the efforts of the NFTS and its students in achieving excellence.

Sargent-Disc Award winners

Each year at the ceremony, a number of students are chosen by key NFTS industry partners Sargent-Disc, Avid, Christie, IOSH and Panalux to recognise outstanding levels of achievement.  

The 2024 Sargent-Disc Awards went to two Production Management Diploma graduates. Helena Hunt and Carl Mason received a Final Draft software licence as well as £500 each.

Helena production managed a large and very diverse set of projects ranging from a Documentary shot in America, to Animation projects and a Children’s TV musical extravaganza. She also took on a demanding Fiction project called Resort, filmed in Spain and which required weeks of budget preparation with the Producer and meetings with crew members.

Carl showed a high level of commitment to production management throughout the course, working on over eight graduation films across a wide range of genres from animation to international documentaries filmed in Australia, California and across the USA, as well as a challenging period fiction film shot on location. Carl stepped up to every challenge with conviction and courage to ensure his teams had the resources and support needed to make the best possible films safely, on budget and on schedule.

Dr. Laurence Sargent commented, “The students graduating from the NFTS today are the future of our industry. Their hard work, skill and creativity are critical to its ongoing success. Sargent-Disc is proud to support this year’s Production Managers with awards in addition to providing an annual scholarship for two Production Management students. We wish them every success as they embark on their careers.” 

Left to Right: Carl Mason, Emma Wilford and Helena Hunt
Photo Credit: National Film and Television School

NFTS Honorary Fellowship

In recognition of the exceptional contribution they have made to the film industry, Production Design legends Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer were awarded the impressive Honorary Fellowship. Not only have the pair been nominated for a total of seven Oscars, most recently for their work on Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, they were also celebrated for their efforts to nurture emerging filmmakers.

Honorary Fellowship recipients Katie Spencer and Sarah Greenwood
Photo Credit: National Film and Television School

For more information about the NFTS, click here.

Supporting production accountants since 1986

At Sargent-Disc we understand the production process and the pressure on production accountants to deliver accurate results, on time, every time. For over 35 years, Sargent-Disc has been proud to support their efforts as they work hard to bring us the best in global film and television. 

Today, as part of Cast & Crew, we deliver a full range of integrated production payroll and accounting solutions including CrewStart™, Digital Purchase Order and PSL+ to productions at the forefront of the entertainment industry. These solutions save time when breaking out timecards, sending and approving contracts, onboarding cast and crew, approving expenditure, and cost reporting efficiently and securely.

Alongside this we are committed to investing in and supporting the film and television community at home and abroad. We are a member of the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), a major patron of the Royal Television Society (RTS), a business partner of the Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB), and work with them to inform and educate their members.

This year also marks the 10th year of Sargent-Disc being a proud sponsor of two Production Management Diploma at the National Film and Television School (NFTS).  The John Sargent Scholarship was also setup to support production accounting new entrants. Working with the film school is just one of the ways we strive to support emerging filmmakers.

Looking to the future, together with Cast & Crew, we value the importance of continuing to develop our offering and believe that technologies will increasingly allow us to make intelligent solutions that can take even more of the stress out of production accounting.

Contact the team to discuss how our solutions can streamline your production workflows.